Kangaroo care versus incubator care in the management of well preterm infants—A pilot study

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the randomised controlled trials that explored the effect of kangaroo mother care on physiological stress parameters of premature infants. Methods: Two independent researchers performed a systematic review of indexed studies in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane and Scopus. We included data from randomized controlled trials measuring the effects of kangaroo care compared to standard incubator care on physiological stress outcomes, defined as oxygen saturation, body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. The PRISMA model was used to conduct data extraction. We performed a narrative synthesis of all studies and a meta-analysis when data were available from multiple studies that compared the same physiological parameters with the kangaroo method as an intervention and controls and used the same outcome measures. Results: Twelve studies were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. According to statistical analysis, the mean respiratory rate of preterm infants receiving KMC was lower than that of infants receiving standard incubator care (MD, −3.50; 95% CI, −5.17 to −1.83; p < 0.00001). Infants who received kangaroo mother care had a higher mean heart rate, oxygen saturation and temperature, although these results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that kangaroo care in the neonatal intensive care unit setting is a safe method that may have a significant effect on some of the physiological parameters of stress in preterm infants. However, due to clinical heterogeneity, further studies are needed to assess the effects of physiological stress in the neonatal intensive care unit on the development of preterm infants.

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Randomized Crossover Trial of Kangaroo Care to Reduce Biobehavioral Pain Responses in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

Biological Research For Nursing ◽

10.1177/1099800410385839 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 204-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Xiaomei Cong ◽

Susan M. Ludington-Hoe ◽

Stephen Walsh

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Kangaroo Care ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Infant Pain ◽

Skin To Skin ◽

Incubator Care ◽

Pain Responses

Kangaroo care (KC), skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant, is a promising method for blunting pain responses. This crossover pilot tested KC effects on biobehavioral responses to heel stick in preterm infants (30—32 weeks’ gestational age, 2—9 days old) measured by Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) and salivary and serum cortisol. Mother—infant dyads were randomly assigned to KC heel stick (KCH) first or incubator heel stick (IH) first. Study 1 (80-min study, N = 18) tested the effect of 80 min of KC before and throughout the heel stick procedure versus incubator care. Study 2 (30-min study, N = 10) tested 30 min of KC before and throughout the heel stick versus incubator care. KCH and IH began during a premeasurement phase and continued through four data collection phases: baseline, heel warming, heel stick, and recovery. PIPP responses were measured every 30 s during data collection; salivary cortisol was measured at the end of baseline and recovery; and serum cortisol was measured during heel stick. Study 1 showed no differences between KCH and IH. Study 2 showed lower PIPP scores at four time points during recovery (p < .05 to p < .001), lower salivary cortisol at the end of recovery (p < .05), and lower serum cortisol during heel stick for the KCH condition (p < .05) as well as clinically lower PIPP scores in the KCH condition during heel stick. Thirty minutes of KC before and throughout the heel stick reduced biobehavioral responses to pain in preterm infants.

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The effect of kangaroo care on modulate chronic stress response in preterm infants and mothers

Stress ◽

10.1080/10253890.2021.1900107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Sandra Regina de Souza-Vogler ◽

Geisy Maria de Souza Lima

Keyword(s):

Stress Response ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Kangaroo Care

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Long-Term Outcome after Asphyxia and Therapeutic Hypothermia in Late Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9080994 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 994

Author(s):

Hanne Lademann ◽

Karl Abshagen ◽

Anna Janning ◽

Jan Däbritz ◽

Dirk Olbertz

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Perinatal Asphyxia ◽

Psychomotor Development ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Developmental Index ◽

Mental Developmental Index

Therapeutic hypothermia (THT) is the recommended treatment for neuroprotection in (near) term newborns that experience perinatal asphyxia with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The benefit of THT in preterm newborns is unknown. This pilot study aims to investigate long-term outcomes of late preterm asphyctic infants with and without THT compared to term infants. The single-center, retrospective analysis examined medical charts of infants with perinatal asphyxia born between 2008 and 2015. Long-term outcome was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2 at the age of (corrected) 24 months. Term (n = 31) and preterm (n = 8) infants with THT showed no differences regarding their long-term outcomes of psychomotor development (Psychomotor Developmental Index 101 ± 16 vs. 105 ± 11, p = 0.570), whereas preterm infants had a better mental outcome (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 93 ± 18, p = 0.048). Preterm infants with and without (n = 69) THT showed a similar mental and psychomotor development (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 96 ± 20, p = 0.527; Psychomotor Developmental Index 105 ± 11 vs. 105 ± 15, p = 0.927). The study highlights the importance of studying THT in asphyctic preterm infants. However, this study shows limitations and should not be used as a basis for decision-making in the clinical context. Results of a multicenter trial of THT for preterm infants (ID No.: CN-01540535) have to be awaited.

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What is stopping us? An implementation science study of kangaroo care in British Columbia’s neonatal intensive care units

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-020-03488-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Coutts ◽

Alix Woldring ◽

Ann Pederson ◽

Julie De Salaberry ◽

Horacio Osiovich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Healthcare Provider ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽

Kangaroo Care ◽

Optimal Care ◽

Barriers And Enablers ◽

Provider Beliefs

Abstract Background The goal of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is to provide optimal care for preterm and sick infants while supporting their growth and development. The NICU environment can be stressful for preterm infants and often cannot adequately support their neurodevelopmental needs. Kangaroo Care (KC) is an evidence-based developmental care strategy that has been shown to be associated with improved short and long term neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Despite evidence for best practice, uptake of the practice of KC in resource supported settings remains low. The aim of this study was to identify and describe healthcare providers’ perspectives on the barriers and enablers of implementing KC. Methods This qualitative study was set in 11 NICUs in British Columbia, Canada, ranging in size from 6 to 70 beds, with mixed levels of care from the less acute up to the most complex acute neonatal care. A total of 35 semi-structured healthcare provider interviews were conducted to understand their experiences providing KC in the NICU. Data were coded and emerging themes were identified. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided our research methods. Results Four overarching themes were identified as barriers and enablers to KC by healthcare providers in their particular setting: 1) the NICU physical environment; 2) healthcare provider beliefs about KC; 3) clinical practice variation; and 4) parent presence. Depending on the specific features of a given site these factors functioned as an enabler or barrier to practicing KC. Conclusions A ‘one size fits all’ approach cannot be identified to guide Kangaroo Care implementation as it is a complex intervention and each NICU presents unique barriers and enablers to its uptake. Support for improving parental presence, shifting healthcare provider beliefs, identifying creative solutions to NICU design and space constraints, and the development of a provincial guideline for KC in NICUs may together provide the impetus to change practice and reduce barriers to KC for healthcare providers, families, and administrators at local and system levels.

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